Bath Wildlife Sightings
Microbotryum saponariae (Soapwort Anther-smut) on Saponaria officinalis, Lyncombe Hill, Bath, ST7563
Date first seen
Date last seen
Frequency of Sighting
Species
Evidence
Quantity
Many flowers affected in one patch of plants
Locality
Lyncombe Hill, Bath
Habitat
Edge of playing field behind gardens
Environmental Conditions
Overcast
Grid Reference
ST750636
Other Information
Noticed on a Bath Natural History Society field trip. Affected anthers produce masses of fungal spores instead of pollen. A similar smut fungus affects flowers of Red Campion and is quite common but this species has very rarely been recorded in the British Isles. One of the photos shows flowers with normal stamens.
Recorded by
Rob Randall
Identified by
Rob Randall
